Worldwide Sports News

March 5, 2026

NHL's 5 longest regular-season winning streaks

The Dallas Stars won their ninth and 10th straight games when they beat the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames 6-1 this week, setting a franchise record for most consecutive regular-season wins.

While it's a streak coach Glen Gulutzan and his team will wear as a badge of honor, only four franchises have not won 10 straight: the 2-year-old Utah Mammoth, 5-year-old Seattle Kraken, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings.

The Stars are reaching new heights, and they're getting closer to the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the NHL standings as we approach Friday's trade deadline. But they'll need to keep winning through mid-March to get on this list of the longest winning streaks in NHL history:

Top 5 longest regular-season winning streaks in NHL history

5. Pittsburgh Penguins (15 games, 2012-13)

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Penguins enjoyed a perfect March, winning all 15 games. They had a somewhat favorable schedule, playing 10 of 15 at home, including a four-game stint to end the month.

They allowed just 26 goals, an average of 1.73 per game, and had four team shutouts.

Sidney Crosby had 25 points (six goals, 19 assists), leading the league during the streak, and teammate Chris Kunitz was second, notching 20 points (11 goals, nine assists).

4. New York Islanders (15 games, 1981-82)

The New York Islanders enjoyed a 15-game winning streak in 1981-82, culminating in their third successive Stanley Cup.

The Islanders went on to win a fourth straight Stanley Cup the next season, marking the last time any franchise won more than two in a row.

They scored 97 goals in 15 games, 24 more than a Montreal Canadiens team that had the second-most during the famous stretch. New York was also the best defensively, conceding 35 goals.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets (16 games, 2016-17)

The Columbus Blue Jackets won eight straight at home and on the road from Nov. 29, 2016, to Jan. 3, 2017.

Sergei Bobrovsky started in 14 of those 16 games and had a sterling .941 save percentage and 1.64 goals-against average during the streak. Both were league bests, and the Blue Jackets allowed two goals or fewer 13 times.

Unfortunately, all was for nought as the Blue Jackets lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2. Edmonton Oilers (16 games, 2023-24)

After a woeful 5-12-1 start that cost Jay Woodcroft his job, the Oilers went on arguably the greatest run in NHL history, winning 24 of the following 27 games.

That included an eight-game and a 16-game winning streak, the latter of which was bettered only by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Oilers were almost impenetrable for large portions of the streak, allowing two goals or fewer in 14 straight.

They eventually advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, losing in seven games to the Florida Panthers.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (17 games, 1992-93)

The Penguins' astonishing run set a record that has stood for 33 years.

We all know who spearheaded the unprecedented streak, with Mario Lemieux scoring an outrageous 27 goals and 51 points, an average of three per game.

He finished the season with 69 goals and the Hart Trophy to boot. Tom Barrasso was between the pipes for 14 of those wins, and backup Ken Wregget took the helm for the other three.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Stars' 10-game win streak doesn't make this NHL top 5

March 5, 2026

Ranking World Baseball Classic champions: Shohei, Japan stand above

Teams competing in the World Baseball Classic have a most delicate task: Carve out a legacy in less than two weeks.

Yet despite the microwaved format that’s inverse to how we typically watch the sport and assess greatness, the five championship teams all managed to both showcase their talents, conserve their resources and suppress some pretty elite competition to hoist the trophy at tournament’s end.

The WBC has changed almost as much as the sport itself in two decades. Ranking the best of the best is certainly a dicey proposition, as several mini-eras have emerged in the game during that span.

Still, some squads shined a bit brighter. With that, ranking the five WBC champions as the 2026 edition gets under way March 5:

5. Japan 2006

Record: 5-3, 60-21 run differential

Pool play: 2-1 (Lost to Korea 3-1, beat China 18-2, beat Chinese Taipei 14-3)

Second round: 1-2 (Lost to Korea 2-1, lost to USA 4-3, beat Mexico 6-1, advanced on tiebreaker among USA, Mexico, Japan).

Semifinals: Beat Korea 6-0.

Final: Beat Cuba 10-6

Star power: Daisuke Matsuzaka – one year away from making the leap from Japan to the Boston Red Sox for a total commitment of $103 million – won all three of his starts, giving up three earned runs in 13 innings, a 1.38 mark, striking out 10. Ichiro Suzuki showed he was still in the peak of his MLB career, ripping 12 hits in 33 at-bats and producing a .964 OPS.

And while Koji Uehara was most renowned stateside as a reliever, including with the 2013 champion Red Sox, he was a dominant starter then, having won 20 games as a 24-year-old in 1999. In this WBC, he was unbeaten in three starts with 16 strikeouts to zero walks. Uehara avenged Japan’s two previous losses to Korea, pitching seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the semifinals.

Championship: Matsuzaka tossed four innings of one-run ball while Suzuki reached base three times and scored three runs to subdue Cuba.

Legacy: They’re the lone WBC champ to suffer three losses, dampening the ledger a bit. Yet it was a harbinger for the next decade in the game, as Matsuzaka, Nori Aoki and Aki Iwamura went on to populate our TVs in subsequent Octobers.

4. Dominican Republic 2013

Record: 8-0, 36-14 run differential

Pool play: 3-0 (Beat Puerto Rico 4-2, beat Spain 6-3, beat Venezuela 9-3)

Second round: 3-0 (Beat Italy 5-4, beat USA 3-1, beat Puerto Rico 2-0)

Semifinals: Beat Netherlands 4-1

Finals: Beat Puerto Rico 3-0.

Star power: Robinson Cano, on a fast track to Cooperstown at the time, banged out 15 hits, two homers and a 1.296 OPS. Nelson Cruz and Jose Reyes contributed 10 and 11 hits, respectively while Hanley Ramirez, 29, and Carlos Santana, 27, each hit a pair of homers. Even 39-year-old Miguel Tejada put up a .316/.350/.368 line.

Hard to believe the lone unbeaten champ in WBC history called upon Sam Deduno as its ace, but he gave up one earned run in 13 innings (0.69 ERA) of three starts. Edinson Volquez also started three games but struggled, striking out nine but walking six. That’s OK – the bullpen was heroic. Fernando Rodney – who saved seven of their eight wins – Pedro Strop, Santiago Casilla, Octavio Dotel and Kelvin Herrera gave up zero runs and 11 hits across 28 innings.

Championship: Deduno pitched five shutout innings against a Puerto Rico lineup with 36-year-old DH Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina in the middle, but precious little else. And, of course, Dotel, Strop and Casilla combined for four innings of one-hit, no-run relief.

Legacy: It’s tough to argue with an unbeaten squad, and the bullpen managed to hold down the fort. But the lack of a true No. 1 – and the tepid opponent they faced in the final – downgrades the Dominicans just a bit here.

3. USA 2017

Record: 6-2, 41-21 run differential

Pool play: 2-1 (Beat Canada 8-0, lost to Dominican Republic 7-5, beat Colombia 3-2)

Second round: 2-1 (Beat Venezuela 4-2, lost to Puerto Rico 6-5, beat Dominican Republic 6-3.

Semifinals: Beat Japan 2-1

Finals: Beat Puerto Rico 8-0

Star power: The home team finally got one, though it was due in large part to high-end grinders rather than superstars. Shortstop Brandon Crawford and Eric Hosmer each had 10 hits and OPSes north of 1.000. Christian Yelich scored a team-high seven runs. And the consensus starting squad had Gold Glovers (Buster Posey, Hosmer, Ian Kinsler, Crawford, Nolan Arenado, Adam Jones, Yelich, Andrew McCutchen) at every position.

Marcus Stroman carried, starting three games, pitching 15 1/3 innings with a 2.35 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Danny Duffy started and won two games, including the must-win quarterfinal against the Dominicans. Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek combined for nine innings of scoreless relief.

Championship: Stroman pitched six innings of one-hit ball, while Kinsler – who also homered – Yelich, Arenado, McCutchen and Giancarlo Stanton each had two-hit games. Puerto Rico started Seth Lugo and had a star-studded lineup compared to its 2013 finalists: Francisco Lindor, a young Carlos Correa, Beltran, Molina and Javy Baez.

Legacy: This team remains the only group that beat all the Latin American powers – Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico – as well as Japan to win it all. And this WBC marked a turning point, with Jones’ home run robbery of Manny Machado in the quarterfinals at Petco Park turning it into a can’t-miss event.

2. Japan 2009

Record: 7-2, 50-16 run differential

Pool play: 2-1 (Lost to Korea 1-0, beat Korea 14-2, beat China 4-0)

Second round: 3-1 (Beat Cuba 6-0, lost to Korea 4-1, beat Cuba 5-0, beat Korea 6-2)

Semifinals: Beat Venezuela 10-2

Finals: Beat Korea 5-3

Star power: Perhaps the apex of Japanese talent, both old and new. Suzuki banged out 12 more hits and scored seven runs, and Aoki also had a dozen hits and drove in seven. Catcher Kenji Johjima never found stardom with the Seattle Mariners but had a 10-for-30 WBC with a home run.

Meanwhile, Matsuzaka was back, as he posted a 2.86 ERA and Japan won all three of his starts, but this time he had company. Yu Darvish, the 22-year-old who was still three years away from debuting with the Texas Rangers, struck out 20 in 13 innings with a 1.000 WHIP. And Hisashi Iwakuma, who won 63 games in six seasons with the Mariners, posted a 1.35 ERA in three starts an a relief appearance.

Final vs. Korea: Iwakuma pitched four-hit ball into the eighth and Suzuki had four hits, including a two-out, two-strike two-run single in the top of the 10^th inning off Chang Hong Lim, giving the WBC a thrilling finish that wouldn’t be matched for 14 years.

Legacy: Let it be known that the Japanese WBC squads of the aughts struggled mightily with Korea. But they were more or less unbeatable otherwise and this team’s pitching depth separates it from almost all the champions.

1. Japan 2023

Record: 7-0, 56-18 run differential

Pool play: 3-0 (Beat Korea 13-4, beat Czechia 10-2, beat Australia 7-1)

Quarterfinals: Beat Italy 9-3

Semifinals: Beat Mexico 6-5

Finals: Beat USA 3-2

Star power: Might be oversimplifying it to say any team with Shohei Ohtani is a default No. 1. Yet he truly never disappoints. Ohtani led Japan with 10 hits and 10 walks, produced a 1.345 OPS and, on the mound, a 1.86 ERA in winning both his starts and adding his epic relief strikeout of Mike Trout to end the championship. Munetaka Murakami – catch him on Chicago’s South Side this spring – produced an .845 OPS while American-born Lars Nootbaar posted a .424 OBP.

Future Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto had his international coming-out party, striking out 12 in 7 1/3 innings. The youngsters – Shota Imanaga, Rōki Sasaki and Yamamoto – ensured that Darvish, now 36, could get hit a little harder and Japan survived it.

Final vs. USA: Ohtani’s strikeout of Trout was the Polaroid moment; home runs from this year’s spring curiosities – Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto of the Toronto Blue Jays – pushed them toward victory. Kyle Schwarber got Team USA within 3-2 with a solo homer, but that only made Ohtani’s heroics all the more necessary.

Legacy: It’s debatable whether this squad is deeper overall than the 2009 edition; it will take a few seasons to gauge Murakami and Okamoto’s MLB production to further contextualize the talent. But any team with Ohtani already has a massive edge – and he proved it emphatically.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Baseball Classic: Ranking the previous five champions

March 5, 2026

Pirates pitchers Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto star in Dominican Republic exhibition

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - MARCH 03: Dennis Santana #60 of the Dominican Republic pitches during an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya on March 03, 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the middle of Spring Training, but they have a couple of players who are playing in the World Baseball Classic, including two bullpen guys who will be suiting up for the Dominican Republic.

Right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana and left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto showed up against the Detroit Tigers in an exhibition match at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo on March 3.

Soto entered the game in the third inning where he struggled early. He walked first baseman Spencer Torkelson and allowed a single to Tigers third baseman Colt Kieth.

After the struggle, the lefty was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run. He got center fielder Max Clark to ground out, then he struck out second baseman Zack McKinstry and designated hitter Thayron Lizano to end the inning.

Santana then came in the fourth inning where he struck out catcher Jake Rodgers on an 85 mph slider.

Santana just threw 18 pitches after allowing an unearned run from the bat of Riley Greene. Even though it was a short outing for the righty, he looked solid against a Tigers team that made the playoffs last season.

Santana and Soto are two of the Pirates best bullpen arms and they are going to be important pieces to one of the better pitching staffs in all of baseball going into the 2026 season.

Santana was picked off of waivers from the Yankees in 2024. He has quickly improved with the team and had a strong year in 2025. He became the full time closer after the Bucs traded David Bender to the Yankees at the trade deadline.

He finished with a 4-5 record in 70 appearances, a 2.18 ERA over 70.1 innings pitched, 13 holds, 16 saves in 19 opportunities, 60 strikeouts to 17 walks, a .179 opposing batting average and a 0.87 WHIP.

The Pirates signed Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million deal, which was made official on Dec. 15, giving them an important piece of their bullpen. Soto is coming off of a 2025 season where he had a 3.96 ERA over 45 appearances and 36.1 innings pitched with the Baltimore Orioles, before they traded him to the New York Mets at the deadline.

I am excited to see what Santana and Soto will do for the Pirates this season. Pittsburgh’s starting rotation should be great which will put pressure on the bullpen to do its job as well.

I will obviously be rooting for team USA and pitcher Paul Skenes during the World baseball classic but I will also keep a close eye and see what two of our top bullpen guys are doing for team Dominican Republic.

March 5, 2026

Is Shohei Ohtani pitching for Japan in World Baseball Classic? What to know

Shohei Ohtani will once again be one of the top players in the World Baseball Classic with Team Japan.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar designated hitter/pitcher helped Japan to its first World Baseball Classic title in more than a decade at the 2023 World Baseball Classic when he struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch that victory over Team USA inside LoanDepot Park in Miami.

The Ohtani-Trout matchup remains one of the more cinematic and talked-about moments in baseball history three years later.

But as the 2026 World Baseball Classic begins, that matchup won't be seeing a Round 2 in the international tournament, as Trout was not named to the United States' roster after serving as its captain because of insurance issues.

Ohtani also is not expected to step on the mound for Japan, whose rotation will be headlined by his Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, at the World Baseball Classic.

Japan starts its title-defending run on Friday, March 6 against Chinese Taipei bright and early at 5 a.m. ET over in Japan at the Tokyo Dome in Pool C play.

Here's what to know on whether Ohtani is pitching for Japan in the WBC:

Is Shohei Ohtani pitching in World Baseball Classic for Japan?

No, Ohtani will not be pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He will only hit for the defending WBC champions and will be slotted in at the designated hitter spot.

Why is Shohei Ohtani not pitching in World Baseball Classic for Japan?

Ohtani's decision not pitch in the World Baseball Classic was announced at DodgerFest in January, and appears to be one made by him to manage his workload before opening day with the Dodgers on Thursday, March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"It’s been a great offseason. Mostly business as usual," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on Saturday, Jan. 31 according to MLB.com. "I think the good thing is that I wasn’t hurt this year or had any injury. … I’m very healthy. Glad that I am. The only wrinkle is going to be the World Baseball Classic, so I’m wrapping up (the offseason) a little early."

Ohtani's manager, Dave Roberts, mentioned at a Dodgers' offseason fan event that he wasn't surprised by his star player's decision not to pitch in the WBC, and that it was Ohtani's decision to make himself.

"Understanding what he did last year, what he had to go through to then how best to prepare himself for '26 to do both – it just seemed like the right decision," Roberts said on Jan. 31 according to MLB.com. "So, I wasn't surprised – and feel really good with that one."

It also appears that Ohtani's decision not to pitch in the WBC, where he could get injured before opening day, has to do with one of his bigger goals: winning the Cy Young Award with the Dodgers.

"Getting a Cy Young means being able to throw more innings and being able to pitch throughout the whole season," Ohtani said through Dodgers interpreter Will Ireton on Friday, Feb. 13. "So if that's the end result, that's a good sign for me."

Japan schedule for World Baseball Classic

Here's a full breakdown of Japan's schedule for the World Baseball Classic:

All times Eastern

Pool C Play

Game 1: March 6 vs. Chinese Taipei | 5 a.m. | Fox Sports 1 (Fubo)
Game 2: March 7 vs. South Korea | 5 a.m. | Fox Sports 1 (Fubo)
Game 3: March 8 vs. Australia | 6 a.m. | Fox Sports 1 (Fubo)
Game 4: March 10 vs. Czechia | 6 a.m. | Fox Sports 1 (Fubo)

Knockout round

Quarterfinals: March 13/14 in Miami
Semifinals: March 15/16 in Miami
Final: March 17 in Miami

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Shohei Ohtani pitching for Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic?

March 5, 2026

Is Trae Young playing tonight? Wizards star nears debut with new team

The Trae Young experience in Washington, D.C. unofficially began earlier this week, when the 6-foot-2 point guard earned his first ejection from the bench before ever playing a minute for his new team. Now comes his first game for the Washington Wizards.

Young appears ready to make his debut for a new NBA team after the Atlanta Hawks traded him to Washington in January. The 27-year-old has not played in an NBA game in more than two months due to injury, and the Wizards' years-long rebuild and tanking tendencies didn't necessitate a hasty return.

But Young offered recent hints he was closing in on playing again this season and there are indications his first game with the Wizards could be as early as their matchup against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, March 5 in D.C.

Here's a breakdown of Trae Young's injury status and situation heading into Thursday's game between the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz:

Is Trae Young playing today?

Yes, Young is expected to make his Wizards debut in Thursday's home game against the Utah Jazz. Young was not listed on the Wizards' injury report when it was released on Wednesday and he indicated March 5 as the date of his return in a recent social media post. Wizards coach Brian Keefe told reporters Young would be restricted to 17-20 minutes, mostly in the first half.

Trae Young injury update

Young's debut with the Wizards would be his first NBA game since Dec. 27. He has been out with knee and quad injuries initially suffered with the Hawks.

Young was listed on the team's official injury report as dealing with an MCL sprain and thigh bruise. The Wizards announced last month that Young had started to ramp up basketball activities coming out of the NBA All-Star break.

Trae Young stats

Young, in his eighth NBA season, is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games with the Hawks. He is shooting 41.5% from the field and 30.5% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 campaign.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trae Young injury update: Wizards star set to make debut with new team

March 5, 2026

Pens Points: Sabre Rattling

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Alex Lyon #34 of the Buffalo Sabres makes the save against Rutger McGroarty #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of an NHL game on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Coming off their first regulation loss of the post-Olympic schedule, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking for another bounce back performance this evening when the Buffalo Sabres pay a visit to PPG Paints Arena. Rewinding back to October, no one could have foreseen that a Penguins v. Sabres matchup in early March having massive playoff implications, but that will be the case when the two sides meet tonight. The contest will also serve as the final game for both sides before Friday’s trade deadline, where both the Penguins and Sabres are expected to be active.

Puck drop tonight is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.

Pens Points…

It’s no secret that the Penguins consider Sergei Murashov as their future in goal, and he showed why over the weekend with a “Save of the Year” candidate while playing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. [Pensburgh]

We are just over 24 hours out from the NHL trade deadline and the Penguins are in position to be buyers, something no one thought possible all the way back when the season started. There are obvious areas of need and there are plenty of options on the market to address those needs come Friday. [The Athletic $$]

Rickard Rakell is a winger by trade, but an injury to Sidney Crosby and forced him to move to center for the time being. Results thus far have been a mixed bag, but his struggles in the faceoff dot have been particularly glaring but that should be expected given his unfamiliarity with the practice. [Trib Live]

NHL News and Notes…

Speaking of the Buffalo Sabres, they didn’t wait for deadline day to start making moves, acquiring defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues for prospect Radim Mrtka and a first round pick. Step one of a playoff chase and a rebuild is complete for the Sabres and Blues respectively. [ESPN]

Six weeks after being acquired by the San Jose Sharks, Kiefer Sherwood has decided to extend his stay in Northern California by agreeing to a five year contract extension that will begin next season and carry an AAV of $5.75 million against the salary cap. [NHL]

March 5, 2026

Will George Lombard Jr. play a role for the Yankees in 2026?

Mar 4, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

There’s nothing like the early days of spring to get the imagination going. Pitchers show up with new pitches, hitters show up with improved swings and approaches, everyone is in the best shape of their lives, and hope springs, well, eternal.

Among those bright spring training traditions is letting one’s optimism run wild when it comes to prospects. Prospects are unproven, untested, but that they’re untested means we haven’t yet seen them fail, making it that much easier to dream. George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ consensus top prospect, certainly gave us a reason to dream yesterday:

View Link

That’s a 20-year-old shortstop, facing perhaps the second- or third-best pitcher on the planet, taking a 97-mph fastball in a 1-2 count way out to left field. Lord knows we can’t jump to conclusions based on spring training, much less one swing in spring training, but if there was ever a swing to get excited about, it’s that one.

We won’t know what Lombard will ultimately become for many years, but after seeing him do that against Garrett Crochet, it’s not hard to ask: will he play a major role for the Yankees this year? The smart money probably says no. He’s still only 20, and he’s coming off a minor-league season that was fine more than anything, posting a .748 OPS across two levels, albeit while flashing big tools and playing largely against players much older than him. The Yankees also have José Caballero, Ryan McMahon, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. lined up to start on the infield dirt, with Anthony Volpe likely to reclaim a starting job once he’s healthy.

Yet is it crazy to wonder if there’s any way Lombard could force himself into the conversation? Caballero and McMahon both project as average-ish players. If one of them played slightly below that standard, and Lombard was tearing up the high minors in the first half of the season, could he enter the picture? And then there’s the matter of Volpe, who was basically the worst regular starter in baseball for a good chunk of 2025. Better health could and should help him regress in a positive manner this year, but we’ve all grown weary of Volpe struggling for infuriatingly long periods. If he does it again, will the Yankees resist in challenging their top prospect, much as they did with Volpe himself three years ago?

Most 20-year-old prospects don’t end up playing a prominent roles for their big-league clubs. But we’re at spring training, and it’s time to dream big. Do you think Lombard will make an impact as soon as this year?

It’ll be another loaded day on the site today, starting off with Kevin’s recap of the official opener of the WBC, which took place late last night between Chinese Taipei and Australia. Josh will also finish off our preview coverage of the WBC with an overview of Pool D, while Jeff will continue our general 2026 MLB Preview with a look at the St. Louis Cardinals. Also, Michael brings us our latest player preview by analyzing Giancarlo Stanton, and Peter profiles Doug Bird as part of our Yankee Birthday series.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Time: 1:05 p.m. EST

Video: YES, Gotham Sports App, Twins.tv

Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL

March 5, 2026

Emma Raducanu hopes to rediscover ‘natural’ style that has been ‘coached out of me’

British No 1 being aided by Mark Petchey at Indian Wells
‘I am definitely going to tap into a few people’

Emma Raducanu says she is determined to wrest back control of her “natural” tennis style, with the British No 1 eager not to be bound by the diktats of a single coach.

“I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that’s something that has been coached out of me a little bit,” Raducanu told BBC Sport. “I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn’t necessarily fit. I don’t necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised – even if it’s a trial.

March 5, 2026

‘I’ll never be that kind of manager’: Brighton’s Hürzeler hits out at Arteta and Arsenal – video

The Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, accused Arsenal of playing by their own rules in a void left by weak Premier League refereeing after the Gunners' 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka’s early goal moved Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the table, with Manchester City drawing 2-2 at home against Nottingham Forest.

'I think there was only one team who tried to play football today,' said Hürzeler. 'If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how ... [But] I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way.

'Of course, every team will manage and waste time but there has to be a limit, and the limit has to be set by the Premier League.'

‘Only one team tried to play’: Hürzeler hits out at Arsenal after win at Brighton

March 5, 2026

War-hit Qatar still plans to host Argentina-Spain game with Messi and Yamal for UEFA

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA still plans for Qatar to stage the Argentina vs. Spain game known as Finalissima this month even as the emirate is targeted by Iranian missiles in the widening Middle East war started by Israel and the United States.

“At present, there are no alternative venues being considered,” UEFA said on Thursday about the scheduled March 27 game in Doha between the reigning champions of South America and Europe in a likely matchup of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

“A final decision is anticipated towards the end of next week,” said the European soccer body which organizes the game with South American counterpart CONMEBOL.

Argentina and Spain are due to play at Lusail Stadium that staged the epic 2022 World Cup final. Argentina won a penalty shootout against France after Messi scored twice and Kylian Mbappé got a hat track in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Qatar has close relations with UEFA. Its top soccer official Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain, is a member of the UEFA executive committee.

“Discussions are ongoing with the local organizers who have made a huge effort to make the match a success,” UEFA said.

If Doha is too much of a security risk to host the game, it could be moved to Spain or elsewhere in Europe where nearly all the players in the two squads are based.

The first Finalissima was at Wembley Stadium in London in June 2022. Argentina and Messi beat Italy 3-0.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

March 5, 2026

From silence to song: Iran team's anthem shift in Australia at soccer's Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women's soccer team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women's Asian Cup contest against Australia on Thursday, a contrast to the silence before its opening game.

The outcome was similar, though, with World Cup semifinalist Australia winning 4-0.

The silence during the anthem before Monday's 3-0 loss to South Korea was variously reported as an act of resistance or a show of mourning. The team didn’t clarify.

But in a news conference on the eve of the game against Australia, Iran striker Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the concerns of players and management for their families and loved ones amid the war in the Middle East.

The 21-year-old Didar was on the bench when Thursday's match started in pouring rain on the Gold Coast, where Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group A games.

The Iran squad and management have declined to comment on the military strikes or death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with head coach Marziyeh Jafari saying it was important for the women as professional players to focus on the tournament and try to qualify for next year's World Cup.

The Iranians arrived in Australia well before the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran last Saturday.

The change in approach with the anthem between games in Australia seemed to mirror the Iranian men’s team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The men didn’t sing the national anthem before their opening loss against England as turmoil overshadowed the start of their campaign. In their second game against Wales, the men sang along to the anthem and celebrated when they scored.

Iran was competing in that World Cup amid a violent crackdown on a major women’s protest movement that was spurred by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police.

On Thursday, there were Iranian supporters in the crowd of about 22,000 people at Gold Coast Stadium.

After another heavy loss, the Iranians need a big win over the Philippines in their last group game next Monday to have any chance of progressing to the quarterfinals and maintaining any chance of securing a spot at the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil.

Clusters of protesters against Iran's regime gathered outside ahead of the game.

Nasrin Vaziri, an Iranian Australian and long-time Gold Coast resident, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp she was there because she wanted to support the players.

“I think they are brilliant because they haven’t had many chances to play,” Vaziri told the ABC. “They are real people, even under pressure. We are proud of them. As a woman, I’m proud of them."

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

March 5, 2026

Ryan Pulock misses Islanders’ loss to Ducks due to upper body injury

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Ryan Pulock makes a pass during the Islanders' 5-4 win over the Panthers at UBS Arena on March 1, 2026

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ryan Pulock was a full go at Wednesday morning’s skate, only for Patrick Roy to announce shortly afterward that Pulock would not play against the Ducks later that evening.

While there is optimism that Pulock’s injury, officially designated as upper body, will be very much short-term — as in, playing Thursday against the Kings appears to be on the table — the defenseman evidently didn’t feel right during the morning skate.

“It was based on the morning skate,” Roy said. “Game-time decision, but he didn’t feel ready to play. We’ll wait for tomorrow.”

Pulock briefly left Sunday’s win over the Panthers with what appeared to be a shoulder injury, but quickly returned to the game.

Jonathan Drouin, who missed Sunday’s game, was back in the lineup Wednesday, with Anthony Duclair coming out as a healthy scratch.

As a result of Pulock’s absence, Adam Boqvist came back into the lineup, starting on the third pair with Carson Soucy as Scott Mayfield moved up to the top pair with Matthew Schaefer.

It was Boqvist’s first game since a 4-0 win over the Flyers on Jan. 26.

“You’re always going to feel [it] when one of your better guys is out,” Tony DeAngelo told The Post after the 5-1 loss in which Pulock’s absence was heavily felt. “Boqy played a real good game, filled in nicely. It’s always next man up, we can’t think too much of that.”

Ryan Pulock makes a pass during the Islanders’ 5-4 win over the Panthers at UBS Arena on March 1, 2026. ennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The configuration the Islanders started with did not make it through the first period, as Schaefer and Mayfield — who started the year together — struggled to click. By the first intermission, all three pairs seemed to be rotating, which continued throughout.

The situation served to underscore Pulock’s importance to these Islanders, which has largely been underrated with Schaefer drawing so much attention.

Pulock’s 24 points already have surpassed his total from last year, and at 21:03 per night, he’s second only to Schaefer in time on ice.

Roy called Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson “a special player” after the Swedish center finished with an assist and was noticeable on nearly every shift alongside Cutter Gauthier, who scored twice for the Ducks.

David Rittich stopped 21 of 25 shots for the Islanders, while Ville Husso turned aside 42 shots for Anaheim.

Only two scouts were in attendance at Wednesday’s match just 48 hours before the deadline, and both were from the St. Louis Blues, as rumors connecting the Islanders to some of the Blues’ high-end assets such as Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas continued to swirl.

March 5, 2026

Los Angeles hosts New York in a non-conference matchup

New York Islanders (35-22-5, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (24-22-14, in the Pacific Division)

Los Angeles; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kings -146, Islanders +122; over/under is 5.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders meet in a non-conference matchup.

Los Angeles has a 24-22-14 record overall and a 9-14-7 record on its home ice. The Kings have an 18-2-7 record in games they score at least three goals.

New York has a 35-22-5 record overall and an 18-12-3 record in road games. The Islanders have an 18-5-0 record in games decided by one goal.

The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.

TOP PERFORMERS: Artemi Panarin has 19 goals and 41 assists for the Kings. Adrian Kempe has five goals and six assists over the last 10 games.

Mathew Barzal has 17 goals and 38 assists for the Islanders. Matthew Schaefer has scored seven goals with three assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-6-1, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

Islanders: 7-3-0, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.2 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

INJURIES: Kings: None listed.

Islanders: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

March 5, 2026

Canadiens visit the Ducks after Newhook's 2-goal game

Montreal Canadiens (33-18-9, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Anaheim Ducks (34-24-3, in the Pacific Division)

Anaheim, California; Friday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens visit the Anaheim Ducks after Alexander Newhook's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Canadiens' 7-5 loss.

Anaheim is 34-24-3 overall and 21-9-1 at home. The Ducks have gone 15-7-2 when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent.

Montreal has a 33-18-9 record overall and a 16-7-7 record on the road. The Canadiens have a 30-7-8 record in games they score at least three goals.

Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Cutter Gauthier has 31 goals and 24 assists for the Ducks. Beckett Sennecke has five goals and eight assists over the past 10 games.

Cole Caufield has 35 goals and 25 assists for the Canadiens. Nicholas Suzuki has four goals and 10 assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Ducks: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.

Canadiens: 5-3-2, averaging 4.1 goals, 6.9 assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.

INJURIES: Ducks: None listed.

Canadiens: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

March 5, 2026

Golden Knights host the Wild after overtime victory

Minnesota Wild (36-16-10, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (29-19-14, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Wild visit the Vegas Golden Knights after the Golden Knights defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime.

Vegas is 29-19-14 overall and 14-8-7 in home games. The Golden Knights have a +13 scoring differential, with 204 total goals scored and 191 allowed.

Minnesota has an 18-9-3 record on the road and a 36-16-10 record overall. The Wild rank eighth in NHL play with 205 total goals (averaging 3.3 per game).

The teams match up Friday for the third time this season. The Wild won 5-2 in the previous meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Ivan Barbashev has seven goals and two assists over the past 10 games.

Quinn Hughes has six goals and 55 assists for the Wild. Matthew Boldy has scored eight goals with 13 assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 4-5-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, three penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.

Wild: 7-2-1, averaging four goals, 6.8 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: None listed.

Wild: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.